updated 12:15 pm EST, Wed November 11, 2009

Project Natal price, ship targets slip out

Microsoft hopes to price Project Natal low enough that virtually every gamer can add it, a major rumor claimed on Wednesday. Alleged sources of MCV's argue that the Xbox 360 motion controller is being designed with a price target of £50 (about $80) or less with 14 games, presumably mini-games, included in the box. The target is such that Microsoft hopes for "impulse buy" customers and may even drop to £30 ($50).

The same tips reinforce rumors that at least some Xbox 360s will come bundled with Natal and have as many as 5 million of the add-ons shipping for a release sometime in November 2010.

Microsoft already has several major international publishers onboard, like Activision and EA, but has reportedly been courting smaller developers in the UK and likely elsewhere.

Natal is expected to face fierce competition from Sony's motion controller and from the continued relative success of the Nintendo Wii and may have to rely on a low price to remain competitive. The Wii is less advanced but costs just $200 for a complete system. Sony's implementation may be the most expensive, as it needs both a controller and a camera, but will sometimes be the most advanced as it can give the player direct control over virtual objects.